Vibrator



Patented June 12, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mesne assignments", to Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 23, 1931, Serial No. 564,547

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a vibrator capable of being used during shaving, clipping of hair, and massaging.

The various objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawing illustrating a specific embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of a device constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the device;

Figure 3 is a side view of the device; and

Figure 4 is a section taken on lines 4-4 of Figure 2 illustrating the pivotal mounting of the armature.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like parts, the reference numeral 1 designates a hollow frame or casing of any appropriate shape in which the operative mechanism is mounted. In the form illustrated, the frame is rectangular in shape and is formed from a blank, the ends 2 and 3 of which are caused to overlap in the manner shown. Preferably, they also are secured together in any convenient manner, as by rivets 4.

For the purpose of imparting rigidity to the frame, there may be provided reinforcing elements, such as suitably disposed pins 5, extending transversely of the frame and secured to the sides thereof. If desired, the end 3 may be provided with an element which also functions to impart rigidity to the frame. It is apparent that this element may be made of any suitable shape and is not restricted to the irregularly shaped member 6 shown for illustrative purposes in the drawing. The member 6 extends over a portion of the front of the device as illustrated, and is provided with a flange 7 through which it is secured to the lower end of the frame by any appropriate fastening means, such as rivets 8. In addition to functioning as a reinforcement, the member 6 may also serve as a guard. It is to be understood that the strength of the frame may be increased by means. other than those specifically described.

In the upper portion of the frame, there is positioned an electro-magnet 9 of any well-known type. The specific electro-magnet mechanism illustrated consists of two electrically connected coils 10, each of which has a core 11 in the center thereof. A bar 12 suitably connects the cores 11 at their bases. It should be noted that the portion of the frame wherein the electro-magnet is mounted is made of such thickness as to provide a clearance therebetween.

Disposed in cooperative relation to the electro magnet is a free end 13 of an armature 14 which is caused, when the electro-magnet is energized, to oscillate. By reason of the details of construction hereinafter set forth, the oscillations are transmittedto the entire device, whereby the latter is vibrated. v a a In accordance with this invention it has been found that if the metal constituting the armature is not uniformly distributed, better vibrational effects are secured. Accordingly, the armature is made of non-uniform thickness. For example, the armature may be recessed or otherwise processed to form a portion 15 of reduced dimensions.

The armature 14 is formed with an end 16,

preferably of reduced dimensions, which is mounted in aligned slots 1'7 and 18 in the bottom of the frame and the flange 7, respectively. For reasons which will become apparent, there is .provided a small amount of play-between the end 16 and the slots 17 and 18. A plurality of oppositely disposed rollers 19 and 20 are secured to the end 16 by means of a bolt 21 and nut 22. The rollers 19 and 20 are'designed to contact with the lower end of the frame and serve in a fashion similar to a rocker bearing.

The invention also contemplates the mounting of the armature 14 so that it may be readily adjusted so as to provide the desired gap between it and the electro-magnet.

With this in view, there is provided an angle piece 23, one leg,24 of which is secured to the armature. The opposite leg 25 cooperates with an adjustable means, such -as a bolt 26, conveniently mounted in the lower'end of the frame. The bolt 26 may be provided with any of the wellknown devices for looking it in adjusted position. Opposite to the angle piece 23 there is provided means which exerts .a force on the armature in a direction opposed to that of the angle piece. This means, in the form illustrated, comprises a resilient member, such as a flat spring 27, securely fastened at one :end thereof by rivets 28 to the armature, saidspring cooperating with a bolt 29 which exerts a pressure thereon. In the preferred form, the spring 27 bridges the recess formed adjacent the reduced portion 15. It is apparent that by adjusting the bolt 29, various degrees of force may be applied to the armature.v Suitable locking means to maintain the bolt 29 in the desired position may also be provided. It is to be understood that the invention is not restricted -to this specific means for exerting the force on the armature in a direction opposite to that of the angle piece, since it is apparent that other means may be employed to secure the same results.

Due to the manner in which the armature is mounted, it may properly be termed a floating armature. Considering the operating forces on the armature, it is to be noted that force is exerted on the armature to cause the same to move to the right due to the pressure of the bolt 29 on the spring 27 and due to the attraction of thev electro-magnets 10 when the latter are energized.

Opposing these forces is the force exerted by the angle piece 23. Pressure on the leg of said angle piece by the bolt 26 tends to cause longitudinal movement of the armature 14 to bring the rollers 19 and 20 into engagement with the flange 7 of the casing. The bolt 26 also produces a moment tending to cause pivotal movement of the armature 14 in a counter-clockwise direction about the bolt 29 as a fulcrum and also about the rollers 19 and 20 as a fulcrum. The above action may be considered to take place first by forcing the armature 14 upwardly, as shown in Figure 2, until the rollers 19 and 2G engage the flange 7, then causing pivotal movement of the armature 14 about the bolt 29 until the end 16 of the armature reaches the right-hand end of the slots 17 and 18. Thereafter, further pressure exerted by the bolt 26 causes pivotal movement of the armature 14 about the rollers 19 and 20 as 'a center, whichmovement is opposed by the pressure exerted by the bolt 29 upon the spring 27. The spring 2'? and its cooperating part 29 likewise perform a second function in that they form a more or less resilient mounting for the arma-. ture. It is obvious that the opposing forces of the springs 27 and 23 may be relatively adjusted so as to attain the desired differential which is best adapted to cause the device to operate properly. The angle piece 23 accordingly serves as a spring member for causing retraction of the armature, as a means for exerting longitudinal pressure in conjunction with the rocker bearing and as a means for adjusting the gap between the armature and the electro-magnet.

The mechanism is contemplated to be positioned on the hand of the operator. With this in view there is provided a guard 30 having ahorizontal flange 31 overlapping on the top of the frame and secured thereto by means of screws 32. The front surface of the guard is provided with a plurality of depressions 33 which are rounded so as to conform to the contour of the fingers of the hand. The guard is also provided with a rigid shaft 34 on which there is mounted a clamping member for securing the device to the hand, and more particularly to the fingers of the operator. This clamping means comprises a small plate 35 formed with depressions 36 which are complemental to the depressions 33. Superposed on the plate 35, and preferably secured (not shown) connected in the circuit.

To use the device, the operator places the backs of his first two fingers in the depressions 33. By means of the clamp the device is securely fastened to the hand of the operator. If the device is to be used in conjunction with shaving, the razor is gripped in the same hand on which the device is mounted. The toggle switch 41 is then closed and the current energizes the electro-magnet, whereby the free end of the armature is attracted. After each attraction of the magnet the angle piece 23 forces the armature away from the magnet. Accordingly, the armature is oscillated and vibration is imparted to the entire device, which in turn is transmitted to the hand of the operator.

If desired, instead of making the frame open at its front and back, as described, the operative mechanism, with or without the frame, may be disposed in a closed casing.

Since it is apparent that numerous changes may be made in the specific details of the invention described, the invention is not restricted thereto except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: a

1. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a vibratory member including an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a floating support for one end of said member comprising stop means constraining said member against longitudinal movement in one direction only, resilient means constraining said member against longitudinal movement in the other direction, means for limiting transverse movement of said end, said resilient means tending to cause pivotal movement of said member about said floating support adapted to retract said armature from said electro-magnet.

2. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a

vibratory member includin an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a

too

lilil floating support for one end of said member come prising a stationary member, stop means carried by said vibratory member and adapted to engage said stationary member for limiting the longitudinal movement of said vibratory member in one direction, stop means associated with said stationary member and adapted to limit movement of said end in a transverse direction and forming in connection with said first-named stop means a rocker bearing, a relatively stiff angle piece carried by said vibratory member and having a transversely extending part, and means carried by said stationary member for exerting longitudinal pressure on said transversely extending part, whereby to hold said stop means in engagement with said stationary member and to tend to cause pivotal movement of said vibratory member about said rocker bearing adapted to retract said armature from said electro-magnet.

3. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a

vibratory member including an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a floating support for one end of said member comprising a stationary member, stop means carried by said vibratory member and adapted to engage said stationary member for limiting the movement of said vibratory member in one direction, stop means associated with said stationary member and engaging said vibratory member to limit movement of said end of said vibratory member in a transverse direction and forming in con- 5' nection with said first-named stop means a rocker bearing, a relatively stiff angle piece carried by said vibratory member and having a transversely extending part," means carried by lEO' pressure on said transversely extending part, whereby to hold said stop means in engagement with said stationary member and to tend to cause pivotal movement of said vibratory member about said rocker bearing adapted to retract said armature from said electro-magnet, a spring carried by said vibratory member, and transversely extending pressure means engaging said spring and adapted to urge said armature toward said electro-magnet.

4. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a vibratory member including an armature in ma netic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a floating support for said member comprising a stationary member having a slot therein, said vibratory member extending through said slot and being free for limited transverse movement therein, means carried by said Vibratory member and adapted to bear against said stationary member to form a rocker bearing and restrict longitudinal movement of said member in one direction only, and resilient means adapted to hold said first-named means against said stationary member to restrict longitudinal movement of said member in the other direction and to cause pivotal movement of said vibratory member for retracting said armature.

5. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a vibratory member including an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a floating support for said member comprising a stationary member having a slot therein, said vibratory member extending through said slot and being free for limited transverse movement therein, a roller carried by said vibratory member and adapted to bear against said stationary member to form a rocker bearing, and resilient means adapted to hold said roller against said stationary member and to cause pivotal movement of said vibratory member for retracting said armature.

6. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a vibratory member including an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a floating support for said member comprising a stationary member having a slot therein, said vibratory member extending through said slot and being free for limited transverse movement therein, stop means carried by said vibratory member and adapted to bear against said stationary member to form a rocker bearing, an angle piece carried by said vibratory member and having a part extending parallel to said stationary member, and pressure means carried by said stationary member and engaging said part, said pressure means being adapted to hold said stop means in engagement with said stationary member and to cause pivotal movement of said vibratory member for retracting said armature.

'7. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a vibratory member including an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a floating support for said member comprising a stationary member having a slot therein, said vibratory member extending through said slot and being free for limited transverse movement therein, a roller carried by said vibratory member and adapted to bear against said stationary member to form a rocker bearing, an angle piece carried by said vibratory member and having a part extending parallel to said stationary member, and pressure means carried by said stationary member and engaging said part, said pressure means being adapted to hold said roller in engagement with said stationary member and to cause pivotal movement of said vibratory member for retracting said armature.

8. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a vibratory member including an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a casing substantially enclosing said electromagnet and said vibratory member and having a slot therein, one end of said vibratory member extending through said slot and being free for limited transverse movement therein, stop means carried by said vibratory member externally of said casing and adapted to bear against said casing to form a rocker bearing, means adapted to hold said stop means in engagement with said casing and for causing pivotal movement of said vibratory member about said rocker bearing to retract said armature.

9. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a vibratory member including an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a casing substantially enclosing said electro-magnet and said vibratory member and having a slot therein, one end of said vibratory member extending through said slot and being free for limited transverse movement therein, a roller carried by said vibratory member externally of said casing and adapted to bear against said casing to form a rocker bearing, means adapted to hold said roller in engagement with said casing and for causing pivotal movement of said vibratory member about said rocker bearing to retract said armature.

10. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a vibratory member including an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a

casing substantially enclosing said electro-magnet and said vibratory member and having a slot therein, one end of said vibratory member extending through said slot and being free for limited transverse movement therein, a roller carried by said vibratory member externally of said casing and adapted to bear against said casing to form a rocker bearing, an angle piece carried by said vibratory member and having a transversely extending part, and pressure means carried by said casing and engaging said part, said pressure means being adapted to hold said roller in engagement with said casing and to cause pivotal movement of said vibratory member about said bearing.

11. A vibrator comprising an electro-magnet, a vibratory member including an armature in magnetic cooperation with said electro-magnet, a casing substantially enclosing said electro-magnet and said vibratory member and having a slot therein, one end of said vibratory member extending through said slot and being free for limited transverse movement therein, a roller carried by said vibratory member externally of said casing and adapted to bear against said casing to form a rocker bearing, an angle piece carried by said vibratory member and having a transversely extending part, pressure means carried by said casing and engaging said part, said pressure means being adapted to hold said roller in engagement with said casing and to cause pivotal movement of said vibratory member about said bearing, and resilient means associated with said vibratory member to oppose said pivotal movement.

SETH G. MALBY. 

